Windsor chairs

If there’s one style of dining chair that’s been around for hundreds of years and yet remains relatively unchanged, it has to be the Windsor chair. Recognised the world over but more commonly seen in English and American interiors, the Windsor chair is an absolute classic style of chair that continually pops up in interior magazines and homes all around the world. Given their popularity overseas, it does surprise me quite a bit that we don’t see them very often here in Australia.

Having said that, the dining chairs in our own home are in fact, Windsor chairs! I bought 8 of them on Gumtree about 5 years ago although they were a plain timber stain and looked just a tad old fashioned. So, what’s a girl to do? Paint them of course! I chose classic black and I can’t even begin to tell you the amount of compliments we have had on them over the years. They’ve been one of the few items of furniture we haven’t rotated or sold (our dining table has been changed 3 times in 5 years!) and I think they are ideal for more casual or informal dining, like in a family kitchen area.

I am considering repainting ours however, although choosing a colour is not so easy! I’ll probably have to wait until we get a new kitchen dining table, but in the meantime I’m enjoying doing a bit of “Windsor research”!!

The ones above are exactly the same as ours, although seeing this image makes me not want to repaint them! I love the black paired with a light timber table against an all-white kitchen. Via seaislanddrive.com

More black Windsors against an all-white kitchen.

They look really summery and fresh in white, especially with a rustic or raw timber table. Via homebunch.com

I love these sleek version of Windsor chairs in the turquoise / aqua. So fresh and funky! via MFAMB

These bright red Windsors co-ordinate beautifully with the kitchen. The pop of colour really makes a statement. Frank Greenwald Architect.

Adore these similar ladder back versions in pink and peach. So pretty and would be perfect for a girls room! Via www.byfryd.com

Can’t decide on a colour? What about one in every colour! The Ola Windsor chair by Tonning, Norway

I am loving that the Windsor chair is getting more use in commercial design fitouts. It’s such a classic chair that will never date and lends a more traditional element to the space. The Hyperion Public in Los Angeles – via Remodelista

One of my favourite eateries in Melbourne, The Millswyn, used similar ladder back chairs throughout! They look so stunning and give such a classic yet modern look in this elegant, neutral colour scheme. The interior design of The Millswyn is simply divine! More images below.

SO stunning in grey.

White and grey ladder back chairs galore at the Millswyn in South Yarra, Melbourne. Via Remodelista

This design and look of this dining space below just has to be my favourite. Classic black and white with wood floors. I particularly love the feature pendant light and the softness of the upholstered dining sofa & chairs, together with the heavy black modern ladder back chairs. Via Decorpad

I want to do something similar in our kitchen dining area by having a dining sofa against the wall and combining our Windsor chairs around the table.